Harper never heard from Yankees in free agency

Bryce Harper is only a couple spring games into his Philadelphia Phillies career and one of those came against the New York Yankees on Tuesday afternoon.

The Yankees initially seemed like a logical suitor for the outfielder's services when he became a free agent, based on their history of splurging on the open market.

But Harper says they never even contacted him.

Despite growing up a Yankees fan, Harper didn't seem bothered by the lack of communication.

"I know the kind of outfield they have, the way they went out and got (Giancarlo) Stanton in that trade," Harper said, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. "So it was kind of up in the air. I never heard from them. But everybody knew that growing up I was a huge Yankees fan, of course.

"But I'm happy where I'm at and very excited to start my chapter with the Phillies."

New York is projected to start the season with Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, and Brett Gardner in the outfield, with Stanton as an option whenever he doesn't serve as the designated hitter. The club also has Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury vying for playing time, so finding room for Harper may have proven tricky.

Harper went 0-for-2 against the Yankees and starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. He may only get one more opportunity in 2019 against his childhood team; the Phillies and Yankees play another spring game March 17 but don't meet in the regular season.